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New SAF anti-terror unit to handle range of operations

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The Army Deployment Force can support Home Team agencies during civil contingencies such as disasters or when there are multiple security hotspots. (Photo: MINDEF)

A new unit will be formed by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to help combat possible terrorists threat.

It will also function to help during civil contingencies, humanitarian efforts and disaster relief operations once it is inaugurated on 12 July.

Known as the Army Deployment Force (ADF), the battalion-sized unit will complement the operations of the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and Home Team agencies.

Minister of Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, said that the ADF will sharpen the ability of the armed forces to respond to terrorism incidents and other such challenges.

“The basic task for the ADF is the rapid response element, because speed is important in counter-terrorism,” he said.

The ADF will consist of highly trained soldiers with niche capabilities who are able to respond swiftly and decisively to a full spectrum of operations and contingencies.

Using a scenario in which Singapore is under multiple terrorist attacks, Ng said that, in such a situation, the SOTF will respond to the threats.

However, he explained that the rapid response element of the ADF will be activated to help support the special forces as well as the Home Team.

He added that the ADF can also be activated in civil contingencies when the need arises or provide rapid response to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

Ng said that there will be dedicated regular officers that will be trained, assigned and tasked to the ADF.

“We will also train selective national service (NS) units to assist in these functions so they can operate with the ADF so that national servicemen can also be part of the response element to counter-terrorism as well as other civil emergencies and humanitarian disasters,” he said.